Lake Maps

Fishing Regulations

Angling Opportunities

Jacksonville can be a difficult lake to fish, but
it has produced largemouth bass in excess of
15 pounds. Spotted bass are also present in this lake. Crappie are not particularly abundant
but are usually well above the 10-inch minimum length. The catfish
population is limited by largemouth bass predation and catch rates
can be low.

Species

Poor

Fair

Good

Excellent

Largemouth bass

Spotted bass

Catfish

Crappie

Fishing Cover/Structure

Although hydrilla was a problem in the past, the City of Jacksonville has enacted an integrated management plan using chemical, biological, and environmental intervention to combat the problem. The topography of Lake Jacksonville is steeper than most East Texas lakes and features abundant iron ore rock substrate on points and riprap along the dam. Angling success is best on deep structure, brush piles, and around lighted piers.

Tips & Tactics

Anglers need to find deep structure to
catch many fish. Look for largemouth bass along the
face of the dam and around patches of native vegetation in Cat Creek
and Byrd Branch. Dropoffs along the island across from the marina can also be productive.

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